Gallant, a San Diego-based startup, is transforming the way we get care in the veterinary world. They’re developing state-of-the-art, ready-to-use stem cell therapies for companion animals. The company has now raised over $44 million from pumped-up investors! With this funding, they hope to change the treatment paradigm for all of these animal health conditions. Aaron Hirschhorn launched Gallant almost seven years ago after selling DogVacay to Rover. Today, the company is focused on curing Feline Chronic Gingivostomatitis (FCGS), a debilitating oral illness that afflicts cats.
Gallant’s plan is to file for FDA approval of their therapy for FCGS by early 2026. This new method opens the door to using off-the-shelf cells derived from donor animals, including ones from other species. This methodology distinguishes Gallant from traditional stem cell treatments that typically require harvesting cells from the patient or from donors with matching tissue.
Gallant recently closed a fantastic $18 million series A round. This capital will allow them to launch their first FDA-approved ready-to-use stem cell therapy to veterinary medicine. In fact, this new therapy has already produced amazing results in dogs suffering from arthritis. Clinically, owners have observed a reduction in pain and an improvement in their pets’ mobility. Most of these benefits extend out for as long as two years. This points the way toward a potential long sought breakthrough in long-term pain management for pets.
Linda Black, at the helm of this initiative at Gallant as the president and chief scientific officer, She’s continuing to push this effort forward following the untimely passing of Aaron Hirschhorn in 2021. Health problems so wide-ranging, that under her leadership, the company has triple-validated health claims for pets. They’re zeroing in on kitty CKD and doggy OA.
Gallant is already well ahead in the race to reach the research and development finish line. We think it’s important to acknowledge that stem cell therapy is still experimental, even in veterinary medicine. Human uses of stem cell research have been happening for decades. Gallant’s efforts are the first of their kind to move these therapies closer to widespread adoption within traditional veterinary practice.
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